System, method and computer program product for adding voice activation and voice control to a media player

ABSTRACT

A media player system, method and computer program product are provided. In use, an utterance is received. A command for a media player is then generated based on the utterance. Such command is utilized for providing wireless control of the media player.

RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application is a divisional of an application filed Nov. 16,2005 under Ser. No. 11/281,964 which, in turn, claims priority of aprovisional application filed Jul. 11, 2005 under Ser. No. 60/698,595,which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for allpurposes.

BACKGROUND AND FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to media players, and more particularly tocontrolling media players.

SUMMARY

A media player system, method and computer program product are provided.In use, an utterance is received. A command for a media player is thengenerated based on the utterance. Such command is utilized for providingwireless control of the media player.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a network architecture, in accordance with oneembodiment.

FIG. 2 shows a representative hardware environment that may beassociated with the devices of FIG. 1, in accordance with oneembodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a method for providing wireless control of a media player,in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows a method for providing wireless control of a media player,in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a media player in connection with an assembly for receivingutterances, in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a media player in connection with an assembly for receivingutterances, in accordance with still yet another embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows a method for providing wireless control of a media playerwhen a library is loaded on the media player, in accordance with oneembodiment.

FIG. 8 shows a method for providing wireless control of a media playerwhen a library is not loaded on the media player, in accordance withanother embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a network architecture 100, in accordance with oneembodiment. As shown, a network 102 is provided. In the context of thepresent network architecture 100, the network 102 may take any formincluding, but not limited to a telecommunications network, a local areanetwork (LAN), a wireless network, a wide area network (WAN) such as theInternet, etc. While only one network is shown, it should be understoodthat two or more similar or different networks 102 may be provided.

Coupled to the network 102 is a plurality of devices. For example, aserver device 104 and an end user computer 106 may be coupled to thenetwork 102 for communication purposes. Such end user computer 106 mayinclude a desktop computer, lap-top computer, and/or any other type oflogic. Still yet, various other devices may be coupled to the network102 including a media player 108, a mobile phone 110, etc.

It should be noted that any of the foregoing devices in the presentnetwork architecture 100, as well as any other unillustrated hardwareand/or software, may be equipped with voice control of an associatedmedia player. More exemplary information regarding such architecture andassociated functionality will be set forth hereinafter in greaterdetail.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary system 200, in accordance with oneembodiment. As an option, the system 200 may be implemented in thecontext of any of the devices of the network architecture 100 of FIG. 1.Of course, the system 200 may be implemented in any desired environment.

As shown, a system 200 is provided including at least one centralprocessor 201 which is connected to a communication bus 202. The system200 also includes main memory 204 [e.g. random access memory (RAM),etc.]. The system 200 also includes an optional graphics processor 206and a display 208.

The system 200 may also include a secondary storage 210. The secondarystorage 210 includes, for example, a hard disk drive and/or a removablestorage drive, representing a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive,a compact disk drive, etc. The removable storage drive reads from and/orwrites to a removable storage unit in a well known manner.

Computer programs, or computer control logic algorithms, may be storedin the main memory 204 and/or the secondary storage 210. Such computerprograms, when executed, enable the system 200 to perform variousfunctions. The memory 204, storage 210 and/or any other storage arepossible examples of computer-readable media.

FIG. 3 shows a method 300 for providing wireless control of a mediaplayer, in accordance with one embodiment. As an option, the presentmethod 300 may be implemented in the context of the architecture andenvironment of FIGS. 1 and/or 2. Of course, however, the method 300 maybe carried out in any desired environment.

Initially, an utterance is received, as shown in operation 302. Theutterance may include any audible word, number, and/or sound capable ofbeing received. Still yet, the utterance may be received by a microphoneand/or any other desired input device capable of receiving theutterance. As an option, the utterance may be received utilizing aninput device including an integrated microphone in a set of headphoneswhich enables voice control in an active environment. As another option,the utterance may be received utilizing an input device including awireless device which can be positioned for optimum voice control in anautomobile, an indoor environment, and/or an outdoor environment.

Next, in operation 304, a command for a media player is then generatedbased on the utterance. In the context of the present description, amedia player may include an iPod®, a portable satellite radio player,and/or any portable software and/or hardware capable of outputting anysort of media [e.g. audible media (e.g. music, news, non-fictioninformation, fictional stories, etc.), visual media (e.g. pictures,video in the form of movies, news, programming, etc.), etc.].

Still yet, as an option, the media player may be used in conjunction(e.g. built-in, retrofitted with, coupled to, etc.) any desired deviceincluding, but not limited to a cellular phone, personal digitalassistant, etc. (e.g. see, for example, any of the devices of FIG. 1,etc.). Of course, it is contemplated that the media player may furtherbe a stand alone product.

Even still, the commands may include, for example, commands that operatethe media player, commands that change states of the media player, etc.Specifically, for media players that play music, for example, suchcommands may include play, pause, fast forward, rewind, on, off,shuffle, repeat, search, volume up, volume down, playlist, nextplaylist, etc. As an example, the search command may provide a user withthe ability to command the media player to search for a particular songor artist and the play command may provide the user with the ability tocommand a particular song to be played. In various embodiments, thecommands may be programmable and/or registered by the media player. Ofcourse, the command may include any signal, instruction, code, data,etc. that is capable of being utilized for providing wireless control ofthe media player. For example, the command may be an utterance that istranslated into a hex code capable of being recognized by the mediaplayer. Table 1 illustrates examples of such hex codes capable of beingrecognized by the media player, in an embodiment where the media playerincludes the aforementioned iPod®.

TABLE 1 Shuffle = FF 55 04 02 00 00 80 7A, Pause = FF 55 03 02 00 01 FAPlaylist = FF 55 04 02 00 00 40 BA

It should be noted that the operations of the method 300 of FIG. 3 maybe carried out by the media player itself, and/or by way of a separateassembly that is either built-in the media player or capable of beingretrofitted on the media player. One exemplary assembly will bedescribed in more detail with respect to FIGS. 4-6.

More illustrative information will now be set forth regarding variousoptional architectures and features with which the foregoing method 300may or may not be implemented, per the desires of the user. It should bestrongly noted that the following information is set forth forillustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting in anymanner. Any of the following features may be optionally incorporatedwith or without the exclusion of other features described.

FIG. 4 shows a method for providing wireless control of a media player,in accordance with another embodiment. As an option, the present method600 may be implemented in the context of the architecture andenvironment of FIGS. 1-3. Of course, however, the method 600 may becarried out in any desired environment.

First, program variables within an assembly attached to a media playerare initiated, as shown in operation 602. The program variablesinitialized may include initializing trigger and command words alongwith any input or output utilized. An exemplary assembly will bedescribed in more detail with respect to FIGS. 5 and 6. Next, theassembly listens for a trigger word, as in operation 604. The triggerword may be any word capable of being recognized and understood by theassembly. It may also optionally be any word capable of initiating avoice recognition capability of the assembly. For example, a user may berequired to first say “start” in order to trigger the assembly.

Once it is determined that a trigger word is detected, as in operation606, a command word is awaited, such as in operation 608. As an option,the command word may include any of the utterances described withrespect to FIG. 3. Of course the command word may include any wordcapable of being recognized by the assembly and capable of beingtranslated into computer code that the media player can act upon. Asanother option, a time limit (e.g. 120 seconds, etc.) may be utilizedsuch that if no trigger word is detected during operation 606 within thetime limit, the method may return to operation 604.

Next, upon determination that a command word has been detected, as inoperation 610, the command is converted into computer code that can beread by the media player, as shown in operation 612. As an example, inone embodiment, the computer code may include computer code that can beread by the personal media player. However, if a specified period oftime expires in operation 608, the determination of operation 610 may befalse (or be more scrutinized, etc.) and the method may return tooperation 604. In addition, if a word is detected but it is not aregistered or programmed command word, the method may also return tooperation 608.

The computer code is then sent from the assembly to the media player, asshown in operation 614, and a send button releases the command to themedia player, as in operation 616. Such send button may indicate to themedia player that the computer code is complete. Further, the computercode may be sent as a bit stream to the media player. For example, thebit stream may consist of seven codes of ten bits each. Still yet, eachbit may be sent approximately every 55 uSecs with a code repetition rateof 66 (i.e. each code is sent about every 15 milliseconds).

It is next determined whether the command is a sleep command, as shownin operation 619. For example, such command may be created by a useruttering “sleep” and such utterance then being translated into computercode that tells the media player to power down. If the determination inoperation 619 is positive, the media player is powered down and allprogram variables are released, as depicted in operation 620. Poweringdown may, as an option, include setting the media player to a low powermode. Alternatively, if the command is not for the media player tosleep, the method 600 returns to operation 602 where it continues tolisten for a trigger word. Again, method 600 is set forth to illustratejust one example of a method for wireless controlling a media player,and should not be construed as limiting in any manner.

FIG. 5 shows a media player in connection with an assembly for receivingutterances, in accordance with another embodiment. As an option, themedia player/assembly may be implemented in the context of thearchitecture and environment of FIGS. 1-4. Of course, however, the mediaplayer/assembly may be implemented in any desired environment.

A media player 401 is shown connected to an assembly 403. In the presentembodiment, media player 401 is shown with the assembly 403 holding themedia player 401. Of course such assembly 403 could be optionallymounted on the personal media player 401 or connected in any othermanner. In any way, media player 401 is configured to connect to theassembly 403.

The assembly 403 includes electrical connection (not shown), voiceactivation software (not shown), voice activation hardware (not shown),a memory integrated circuit (not shown), an FM transmitter 409, and apower unit 402. The voice activation software may be capable ofdetecting an utterance, translating the utterance into computer code,and transmitting the code to the media player 401. In addition, thepower unit 402 may be capable of charging the media player 401 and mayinclude a plug that connects to an automobile cigarette lighter deviceor AC/DC converter device to provide a required voltage. Optionally, theconnection may be located on the end of a flexible metal rod thatsupports the assembly.

The FM transmitter 409 may further include up and down arrows on thefront of the assembly 403 as shown in FIG. 5 for sweeping across 88 MHzto 108 MHz such that a frequency that has little outside traffic may belocked in for transmitting a stereo signal at least six feet. FMtransmitter 409 may also include left and right channel programmingcapabilities.

Additionally, a power LED 406 and charging LED 407 may be utilized fordisplaying whether the media player 401 is charging or listening for anutterance. Further included may be a verification speaker 404 forverifying utterances received, a directional microphone 405 forreceiving and transferring utterances to a processing circuit (notshown) that translates the utterances into computer code capable ofbeing read by the media player 401. The processing circuit may alsoinclude a voice engine, onboard memory, and a plurality of circuitperipherals.

In use, the utterance may be verified by replaying the utterance for theuser who provided the utterance and allowing the user to either acceptor reject the utterance. For example, in playing the utterance back forthe user, the user may be prompted to either state “yes” or “no.” If theuser rejects the utterance, the user may then be prompted to give theutterance again. In this way, the verifying may allow for the adjustingof the received utterance if it is not verified. Of course, any type ofverification process may optionally be utilized for verifying theutterance.

Also included may be a connector (not shown) for sending and receivingdata between the assembly 403 and the media player 401 as well asproviding power to the media player 401. Still yet, a mounting brace408, a front face 410, and an FM frequency display 411 may be provided.

As an option, output from the media player 401 may be sent through theassembly 403. Such output may be FM modulated with the FM transmitter409 of the assembly 403 for reception by nearby FM receivers.

FIG. 6 shows a media player in connection with an assembly for receivingutterances, in accordance with still yet another embodiment. As anoption, the present media player/assembly may be implemented in thecontext of the architecture and environment of FIGS. 1-5. Of course,however, the media player/assembly may be implemented in any desiredenvironment.

In the present embodiment, the assembly 507 is shown connected to amedia player 501 by being mounted on top of the media player 501. Suchassembly 507 may optionally include a signal line out 502, a directionalor omni-directional microphone 503, a power LED 504 and listening LED505 (which indicates whether the assembly 507 is awaiting a command—seeoperation 608 of FIG. 4, for example), an FM frequency adjustment 506,and/or an FM frequency display 508. Such features may include the samefunctionalities described with respect to FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows a method 700 for providing wireless control of a mediaplayer when a library is loaded on the media player, in accordance withone embodiment. As an option, the present method 700 may be implementedin the context of the architecture and environment of FIGS. 1-6. Ofcourse, however, the method 700 may be implemented in any desiredenvironment.

First, program variables within an assembly attached to a media player(or within the media player itself) are initiated, as shown in operation702. The program variables initialized may include initializing triggerand/or command words along with any input or output utilized. In anembodiment where a separate assembly is utilized, the assembly may, forexample, include the embodiments described in FIGS. 5 and 6 above.

Next, the assembly listens for a trigger word, as in operation 704. Thetrigger word may be any word capable of being recognized and understood.It may also optionally be any word capable of initiating a voicerecognition capability. For example, a user may be required to first say“start” in order to trigger the present embodiment.

Once it is determined that a trigger word is detected, as in decision706, a command word is awaited, such as in operation 708. As an option,the command word may include any of the utterances described withrespect to FIG. 3. Of course, the command word may include any wordcapable of being recognized and capable of being translated intocomputer code that the media player can act upon. In the presentembodiment, if the command word received is “Search”, as shown indecision 710, the method 700 continues to listen for a next utterance inoperation 712. The next utterance may be, for example, an artist name orany other word.

As another option, a time limit (e.g. 120 seconds, etc.) may be utilizedsuch that if no utterance is detected during operation 712 within thetime limit, the method 700 may terminate, as shown in decision 716.Otherwise, if an utterance is detected during operation 712 within thetime limit, the method 700 may navigate to a first item in a library ofwords associated with the utterance received in operation 712. In thepresent embodiment, and shown just by way of example, the method 700 maynavigate to a first item located in an artist library, as shown inoperation 714. Of course, it should be noted that any type of datacapable of being located within a library may be utilized. An artistname and voice tag associated with the first item in the library maythen be read, such as in operation 718, and it may be determined whetherthe voice tag matches the utterance received in operation 712 (seedecision 720).

If the voice tag associated with the first item in the library does notmatch the utterance received in operation 712, the method 700 maynavigate to a next item located in the artist library, as shown inoperation 724. If it is determined in decision 722 that there is not anext item in the artist library to navigate to (e.g. the method 700 hasreached the end of the library), the method 700 may terminate.Otherwise, the method 700 may return to operation 718 where the artistname and voice tag associated with the next item are read.

The method 700 continues until it is determined in decision 720 that thevoice tag matches the utterance received in operation 712, in which casea command is issued to the media player, such as, for example, a commandto play a first among a set of songs associated with the artist namereceived in operation 712, as shown in operation 726.

FIG. 8 shows a method 800 for providing wireless control of a mediaplayer when a library is not loaded on the media player, in accordancewith another embodiment. As an option, the present method 800 may beimplemented in the context of the architecture and environment of FIGS.1-6. Of course, however, the method 800 may be implemented in anydesired environment.

First, program variables within an assembly attached to a media player(or within the media player itself) are initiated, as shown in operation802. The program variables initialized may include initializing triggerand command words along with any input or output utilized. Next, theassembly listens for a trigger word, as in operation 804. The triggerword may be any word capable of being recognized and understood. It mayalso optionally be any word capable of initiating a voice recognitioncapability. For example, a user may be required to first say “start” inorder to trigger the present embodiment.

Once it is determined that a trigger word is detected, as in decision806, a command word is awaited, such as in operation 808. As an option,the command word may include any of the utterances described withrespect to FIG. 3. Of course, the command word may include any wordcapable of being recognized and capable of being translated intocomputer code that the media player can act upon. In the presentembodiment, if the command word received is “Search”, as shown indecision 810, the method 800 continues to listen for a next utterance inoperation 812. The next utterance may be, for example, an artist name orany other word associated with a file located in a library loaded on themedia player. Just by way of example, the file may be a song located ina library of songs loaded on the media player. Of course, it should benoted that any type of data capable of being located within a librarymay be utilized.

As another option, a time limit (e.g. 120 seconds, etc.) may be utilizedsuch that if no utterance is detected during operation 812 within thetime limit, the method 800 may terminate, as shown in decision 814.Otherwise, if an utterance is detected during operation 812 within thetime limit, the method 800 converts the detected utterance into anapplication specific voice tag, as shown in operation 816.

Next, the method 800 may navigate to a first item in a libraryassociated with the utterance received in operation 812. In the presentembodiment, and shown just by way of example, the method 800 maynavigate to a first item located in an artist library as shown inoperation 818. For example, an artist name associated with the firstitem may be read, such as in operation 820, and the artist name may beconverted to an application specific voice tag (see operation 822).

It is next determined in decision 824 whether the application specificvoice tag generated from the first item in the library (see operation822) matches the application specific voice tag generated from theutterance received in operation 812 (see operation 816). If theapplication specific voice tag associated with the first item in thelibrary from operation 822 does not match the application specific voicetag associated with the utterance from operation 816, the method 800 maynavigate to a next item located in the library, as shown in operation828.

If it is determined in decision 826 that there is not a next item in thelibrary to navigate to (e.g. the method 800 has reached the end of thelibrary), the method 800 may terminate. Otherwise, the method 800 mayreturn to operation 820 where the artist name and voice tag associatedwith the next item in the artist library are read.

The method 800 continues until it is determined in decision 824 that thevoice tags match, in which case a command is issued to the media player,such as, for example, a command to play a song (or set of songs)associated with the artist name received in operation 812 (as shown inoperation 830).

While various embodiments have been described above, it should beunderstood that they have been presented by way of example only, and notlimitation. For example, any of the network elements may employ any ofthe desired functionality set forth hereinabove. Thus, the breadth andscope of a preferred embodiment should not be limited by any of theabove-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only inaccordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

1. A computer program product embodied on a computer readable medium,comprising: computer code for receiving an utterance intended to controla media player with music stored thereon; computer code for generating acorresponding command for the media player based on the utterance, thecorresponding command selected from a command set including a playcommand, a pause command, a shuffle command, an artist command, a songcommand, a playlist command; the corresponding command being translatedinto a code selected from a code set including FF 55 04 02 00 00 80 7A,FF 55 03 02 00 01 FA, and FF 55 04 02 00 00 40 BA; and computer code forsending a button release command to the media player; wherein thecorresponding command provides wireless control of the media player. 2.A sub-system, comprising: logic for controlling a media player withmusic stored thereon; logic for receiving an utterance intended tocontrol the media player; logic for generating a corresponding commandfor the media player based on the utterance, the corresponding commandselected from a command set including a play command, a pause command, ashuffle command, an artist command, a song command, a playlist command;the corresponding command being translated into a code selected from acode set including FF 55 04 02 00 00 80 7A, FF 55 03 02 00 01 FA, and FF55 04 02 00 00 40 BA; and logic for sending a button release command tothe media player; wherein the corresponding command provides wirelesscontrol of the media player.
 3. The sub-system of claim 2, wherein thelogic includes hardware logic.
 4. The sub-system of claim 2, wherein thelogic includes software logic.
 5. The sub-system of claim 2, wherein thelogic is embedded in the media player.
 6. The sub-system of claim 2,wherein the logic is separate from the media player.